Pediatrics – SPARK Center

For Medical Professionals

Refer a Patient

Because The SPARK Center is a unique program, children must ‘qualify’ or be referred from specific sources. We care for medically and emotionally involved children; therefore we take referrals from local hospitals and state agencies.

Therapeutic Daycare Program

Referrals are made to The SPARK Center from Boston Medical Center (BMC), Children's Hospital Boston, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), and other public and private referral sources.

The Intake Team is comprised of our education coordinator, our nurse, and our therapeutic coordinator. All referrals to The SPARK Center must complete a three part intake process:

Initial referrals are made to Nursing Coordinator or Education Coordinator. An appointment is scheduled for the initial informational interview. On this day, parents/guardians meet with nursing and education staff. Parents provide necessary family and medical information and begin required SPARK paperwork. Parents also receive a Parent Manual and have a tour of the building. If the child is referred by DCF, the DCF worker must accompany the family to this initial intake meeting. The child must also be brought to the initial intake meeting. The child may receive a preliminary developmental assessment with our therapeutic coordinator (Ages and Stages or Denver), or spend time in a classroom. Before the family leaves, a follow-up meeting is scheduled.

The referred child and parents/guardians attend a second intake meeting. At the second meeting, parent questions will be answered and any unfinished paperwork will be completed. At this time, the child will participate in a developmental assessment.

Once all assessments and paperwork are complete, the Intake Team will meet to discuss appropriate placement. Each Intake Team member that was involved in the process will write a note to be placed in the child’s chart.

If placement at SPARK is appropriate, the child’s parent/guardian (and DCF worker) will be notified and given a start date. Placement in SPARK will begin with two half-days. A parent will remain at SPARK with child for the first half day; the child may attend alone on the second half-day.